1080 doco Maori TV

[Lux]

Was a very disturbing doco about the effects of 1080 poisoning on New Zealand Wildlife.

Discussion;

[Lux]

There was a fellow on the doco, from 'bird and forest dept' Who said when he gives talks on 10/80, he carries around a bag of salt and vinegar chips, he says that 10/80 is basically salt and vinegar which is what is on salt and vinegar chips, I'd really like him to sprinkle 10/80 onto a packet of plain chips and demonstrate eating them, I think I'd find that more convincing.

1000's of dogs are poisoned each year through secondary poisoning by eating animals which have died of 10/80 poisoning the sick thing about 10/80 is that it is dependent on how much is consumed as to how long it takes an animal to die, it is an agonizing death.

Some of the footage showed graphic pictures of dead stags, does, and fawns which had ruptured/ and prolapsed bloody bowels before death, frothing pink mucus at the mouth and were found in contorted and unnatural positions, one dog suffering secondary poisoning, was fitting, having muscle spasms, lock jaw and basically going in insane with panic, before being put down, there is no cure once poisoned.

A group of farmers questioned the reasoning behind 10/80 saying as long time farmers they have never had any livestock tested positive for TB, though had seen many dear stumble out of the forest to die on their properties of 10/80 poisoning.

[sparrow]

Hmmmm. I didn't see this doco and wish I had. I would also like to see the guy try the "taste" test. If it is perfectly safe - why not?

[maire]

I also think the guy from F & B should practice what he preached.

I'm pleased I didn't see that doco Lux, I would have been crying if I'd seen the part about the animals suffering.
Cruelty to animals is one thing I find really hard to remain emotionless about.

Why the hell are they still using that stuff? Are there no alternatives?

[Lux]

The argument for is...that 10/80 is the fastest way to eradicate TB carrying possums and dear, and secondarily stoats and ferrets, if they feed upon animals poisoned with 10/80. Which if left to reproduce could pass TB to domesticated animals, could impact negatively on the agricultural industry. Possums and dear are considered pests to forest environments.

The argument against is, 10/80 is harmful to the wider environment, it works in an inhumane way, it causes pain and suffering to animals poisoned by it, it doesn't effect stoats and ferrets because they aren't interested in feeding on dead animals. Possum and dear hunters say it effects their lifestyle and also their businesses. Farmers question whether 'TB' is a serious threat
to the agricultural industry.

[maire]

I was reading a thread in TM about this and according to one poster, 1080 has had
no effect on the possum numbers, so it seems it's use is pointless.

Devastating to other animals, but not to possums.

[punga]

Mar 10, 2008 18:59:18 GMT 12 maire said:

I was reading a thread in TM about this and according to one poster, 1080 has had
no effect on the possum numbers, so it seems it's use is pointless.

Devastating to other animals, but not to possums.

i think its the cynide that sorts the opossums out and they are one of the main tb carriers.if one head of cattle gets infected,i dont think the freezing works will take any from that farm as tb infected meat cant be exported.having said that,i dont think you can actually catch tb by eating the infected meat.i stand corrected on this one as i was only told this by a deer farmer.apparently,he can sell the meat of an infected animal,but cant export it.

[askyouraunty]

So can you eat meat which has been tested TB positive?

[punga]

Apr 8, 2008 17:34:34 GMT 12 askyouraunty said:

So can you eat meat which has been tested TB positive?

i believe you can,but im not 100% certain.i did a bit of reading on it and it appears tb is only passed from person to person.i think the animal form of tb is different from the human one.
deer and pigs are carriers,i dont know of any hunters that dont take the meat home even if the lungs look dodgey

[Lux]

Gosh thats something I've never really thought about, have some avid hunters in my family, Love wild pork! Not keen on venison though. I'm still healthy so if I have eaten any meat infected with TB its not showing (yet)